- to refer to or state specifically
- to state as a condition
- to state or include in the specification of
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
spec•i•fy /ˈspɛsəˌfaɪ/USA pronunciation
v., -fied, -fy•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to mention or name specifically:[~ + object]He specified the times of arrival and departure of the flights.
- to name or state as a condition:[~ + (that) clause]The company specified (that) we would have to pay for any damages.
spec•i•fy
(spes′ə fī′),USA pronunciation v., -fied, -fy•ing.
v.t.
v.i.
spec•i•fi•ca•tive
(spes′ə fi kā′tiv),USA pronunciation adj.
spec′i•fi•ca′tive•ly, adv.
spec′i•fi′er, n.
v.t.
- to mention or name specifically or definitely; state in detail:He did not specify the amount needed.
- to give a specific character to.
- to set forth as a specification.
- to name or state as a condition:He specified that he be given my power of attorney.
v.i.
- to make a specific mention or statement.
- Medieval Latin specificāre. See specific, -fy
- Old French specifier
- Middle English specyfyen 1250–1300
spec′i•fi′er, n.
- 1. detail, indicate, enumerate, stipulate.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
specify /ˈspɛsɪˌfaɪ/ vb ( -fies, -fying, -fied) (transitive; may take a clause as object)
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'specified' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
a
- abled
- act
- -aemia
- affair
- affiliation order
- affinity card
- agent noun
- algebra
- -algia
- along
- alongside
- -and
- annuity
- anti-
- any
- APEX
- approximate
- apt
- area
- assign
- -aster
- -atic
- attendee
- augur
- avant-
- balance sheet
- band-pass filter
- bastard
- bay
- bear
- behave
- behaviour
- between
- bid
- binomial distribution
- -biosis
- birth rate
- black
- blank cheque
- blooded
- bloomer
- -bodied
- bond
- born
- bowl
- breather
- breve
- budget
- bulk modulus
